President Biden nominates first woman to lead U.S navy

President Joe Biden has nominated Admiral Lisa Franchetti to lead the United States Navy, making her the first woman to be chosen to head a Pentagon military service branch. The appointment marks a significant milestone for gender representation and diversity in the US armed forces.

Admiral Lisa Franchetti brings a wealth of experience to the role, having previously served as the head of the US 6th Fleet and US naval forces in South Korea, as well as holding the position of an aircraft carrier strike commander. With a distinguished 38-year career, she has proven herself as a highly capable leader and was only the second woman in the US Navy to achieve the prestigious rank of four-star admiral.

President Biden lauded Admiral Franchetti’s extensive expertise in both operational and policy arenas, expressing confidence in her ability to lead the US Navy effectively. He also highlighted her groundbreaking nomination as a historic moment for women in the US military.

The nomination now awaits confirmation from the US Senate. If successful, Admiral Franchetti will not only become the Chief of Naval Operations but will also become the first woman to join the elite group of senior military officers known as the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

However, there are challenges on the path to her confirmation.

Reports in US media suggest that Admiral Franchetti was not the initial choice of US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, who recommended Samuel Paparo, a TOPGUN graduate, for the position. Despite this, President Biden also promoted Adm Paparo and nominated him to become the commander of the US military forces in the Pacific.

Admiral Franchetti is set to take up her new position in the fall, once the current chief’s four-year term expires. However, she will begin her role in an acting capacity, as quick confirmation by the divided Senate is unlikely.

The nomination comes amidst a political dispute that has stalled over 270 military promotions in the Senate. Alabama Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville is blocking the confirmation process to protest a Pentagon policy that pays the travel expenses of service members who have to go out of state to have an abortion.

President Biden has criticized Senator Tuberville’s actions, calling them dangerous and warning of the potential risks to the United States Armed Forces’ capabilities.